Asthma attacks are no fun and sometimes they seem to come out of nowhere. Although individuals with asthma have different triggers that cause an attack, some foods are more prone to cause asthma than others. If your body is sensitive to a certain food, your immune system will attack it in different ways. For asthma sufferers, it’s likely to be an asthma attack. If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, avoiding certain foods may help reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks. Below are some foods that are known to trigger asthma attacks:
Eggs
Many people are allergic to eggs and develop skin reactions such as hives. However, asthma sufferers should be aware that if they have even a slight egg allergy or sensitivity, it may cause an asthma attack instead of hives.
Salt
Asthma essentially causes inflammation in the throat and tightens the airway, making it difficult to breathe. Salt contributes to these symptoms because it encourages fluid retention that can increase inflammation. Individuals with asthma should consider reducing their salt intake to reduce the chances of asthma attacks.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits may be healthy and tasty, but they are not the best food for individuals with asthma because they contain a preservative called sulfite that can cause asthma attacks. If you want dried fruits, consider drying them yourself, without preservatives. Otherwise, stick to the fresh stuff.
Wheat
Wheat contains albumin and globulin amino acids that can cause an allergic or asthmatic reaction. When eaten, gluten can cause the body’s immune system to make antibodies that attack it and cause an asthmatic attack in the process.
Shrimp
Similar to other foods that are likely to cause allergies, shellfish or shrimp may also make you prone to asthma attacks. Shrimp also contains sulfites which asthma sufferers may be sensitive to.
Mushrooms & Cheese
Individuals with sensitivities to molds and mildew may not only have allergic reactions to these things; if they also suffer from asthma, they can cause asthma attacks, too. If you have these sensitivities, you should consider avoiding mushrooms and cheeses as they may also trigger asthma attacks.
Foods with Preservatives & Additives
Preservatives and additives help increase the shelf life and taste in foods, however, many people are allergic to them and it takes a very long time to discover which chemical you are allergic to. If you have a sensitivity to a certain preservative or additive, it may trigger asthmatic reactions.
Overall, there are many foods that can cause an asthma attack. However, a good rule of thumb is that foods that can trigger an allergic reaction are likely to also trigger an asthmatic reaction. Everyone’s body is different. Your body may not cause an allergic reaction (such as hives) to a food, but may still cause an asthmatic reaction. Additionally, certain foods may be perfectly safe to eat but preservatives or additives added to them may be causing problems. Therefore, learn about the foods you eat and explore if the preservatives/additives in them may be triggering your asthma attacks.
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it’s important to learn about how your body reacts to the environment around it and the foods you eat. Contact Allergy Tampa at 813-971-9743 to set up an appointment today.
